Celtics’ Gordon Hayward speaks out on benefit of season suspension

The 2019-20 NBA campaign was suspended last month due to COVID-19, and there is still no timetable for its return. While it hasn't been an easy situation for anybody, Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward sees a benefit in the situation: getting some rest.

“That’s one positive from this whole thing is everybody’s been able to recover,” Hayward said, according to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. “We haven’t been able to do much, so hopefully everyone is healthy whenever and if ever we get back this year. … This has been good for everybody’s body.”

If anyone should know about needing time to recover, it's Hayward.

The former Utah Jazz All-Star, who signed with the Celtics during the summer of 2017, suffered a gruesome broken leg injury on opening night of the 2017-18 campaign, ending his season.

He returned last year and had a rather up-and-down year, which was to be expected from a player coming off of a potentially career-altering injury.

However, Hayward was sure looking like his old self prior to the hiatus this season. He was averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists over 33.4 minutes per game while shooting a robust 50.2 percent from the floor, 39.2 percent from three-point range and 84.7 percent from the free-throw line.

The veteran added that he thinks it will take time for the players to get back in shape if the NBA season does ultimately resume:

“Just from a safety standpoint, I’m guessing two to three weeks of playing and being able to run full court and jump and play basketball before you could see anybody putting themselves at risk of getting injured,” said Hayward.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver could decide by May 1 whether or not the campaign will continue in some capacity. However, he did recently state there is no specific timetable for a return.